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1986–87 South Pacific cyclone season

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1986–87 South Pacific cyclone season
Season summary map
Seasonal boundaries
First system formedNovember 20, 1986
Last system dissipatedMay 22, 1987
Strongest storm
NameUma
 • Maximum winds165 km/h (105 mph)
(10-minute sustained)
 • Lowest pressure940 hPa (mbar)
Seasonal statistics
Total depressions13
Tropical cyclones12
Severe tropical cyclones6
Total fatalities52
Total damage> $269 million (1986 USD)
Related articles
South Pacific tropical cyclone seasons
1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89

The 1986–87 South Pacific cyclone season was an event in the annual cycle of tropical cyclone formation. A total of 13 tropical cyclones developed during the season.

Seasonal summary

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Cyclone TusiCyclone RajaTropical cyclone scales

During the season twelve tropical cyclones were recorded within the South Pacific basin, which was considered above average when compared to an 18-year average of 10 systems.[1][2]

Systems

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Tropical Cyclone Osea

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Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationNovember 20 – November 25
Peak intensity100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min);
980 hPa (mbar)

Tropical Cyclone Osea formed about 565 km (350 mi) to the north-northeast of Port Vila on 21 November. It moved on a southerly track parallel to Vanuatu and spent most of its time over the sea. No significant damage was reported.

Tropical Cyclone Patsy

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Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationDecember 12 – December 22
Peak intensity100 km/h (65 mph) (10-min);
975 hPa (mbar)

On December 12, TCWC Nadi started to monitor a tropical depression that had developed about 1,000 km (620 mi) to the north-northwest of Suva, Fiji.

The system affected Northern Vanuatu but caused little or no damage to the island nation.[3]

Severe Tropical Cyclone Raja

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Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 2 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationDecember 21 – January 5
Peak intensity150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min);
955 hPa (mbar)
Main article: Cyclone Raja

Cyclone Raja existed from December 21, 1986, to January 5, 1987.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Sally

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Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationDecember 26 – January 6
Peak intensity150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min);
955 hPa (mbar)

Cyclone Sally existed from December 26, 1986, to January 6, 1987. It caused A$35 million of damage in the Cook Islands, making a thousand people homeless on Rarotonga and severely damaging 80% of the buildings in Avarua.[4][5]

Severe Tropical Cyclone Tusi

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Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 3 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationJanuary 13 – January 25
Peak intensity150 km/h (90 mph) (10-min);
955 hPa (mbar)
Main article: Cyclone Tusi

On January 13, TCWC Nadi started to monitor a tropical depression that had developed, within a trough of low pressure near the island nation of Tuvalu.[6] Over the next few days the system gradually developed further before it was named Tusi during January 16, after it had become equivalent to a modern-day category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale. After being named the system gradually intensified as it moved southeastwards along the trough, between the islands of Fakaofo and Swains during January 17. Tusi's eye subsequently passed near or over American Samoa's Manu'a Islands early the next day, as the system peaked in intensity with 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 150 km/h (95 mph). The system subsequently posed a threat to the Southern Cook Islands, however this threat gradually diminished as Tusi moved southwards and approached 25S on January 20.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Uma

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Category 4 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationFebruary 4 – February 10
Peak intensity165 km/h (105 mph) (10-min);
940 hPa (mbar)

Cyclone Uma caused severe damages in Vanuatu. The storm formed on February 4 and dissipated on February 10.

Tropical Cyclone Veli

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Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationFebruary 7 – February 9
Peak intensity85 km/h (50 mph) (10-min);
987 hPa (mbar)

The precursor tropical low to Cyclone Veli formed within the Australian region on February 5, about 725 km (450 mi) to the south-east of Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.[7] During the next day the low moved eastwards and gradually developed further, before it became equivalent to a category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale, as it reached its 10-minute sustained wind speeds of 85 km/h (50 mph).[7] As the system continued to move eastwards it crossed 160°E and moved into the South Pacific basin during February 7, before the FMS named it Veli later that day on the basis of satellite derived evidence.[7][8] During that day the system continued to move eastwards, before as it passed near to Espiritu Santo, Veli started to move steadily towards the south-east.[8] Early the next day the JTWC initiated advisories and started to monitor Veli as Tropical Cyclone 16P, with peak 1-minute sustained windspeeds of 45 km/h (30 mph).[9][10] During that day strong upper level north-westerlies caused vertical windshear to increase over Cyclones Veli and Uma and thus weakened them.[8] During February 9, Cyclone Veli absorbed Uma and formed a complex low, which moved slowly south-eastwards and became extratropical.[8] Damage within Vanuatu was either minimal or went unreported, as the island nation was more concerned with the aftermath of Cyclone Uma.[11]

Severe Tropical Cyclone Wini

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Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationFebruary 27 – March 7
Peak intensity130 km/h (80 mph) (10-min);
965 hPa (mbar)

Cyclone Wini existed from February 27 to March 7.

Tropical Cyclone Unnamed/19P

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Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationFebruary 28 – March 3
Peak intensity95 km/h (60 mph) (10-min);
985 hPa (mbar)

Severe Tropical Cyclone Yali

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Category 3 severe tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Category 1 tropical cyclone (SSHWS)
 
DurationMarch 5 – March 11
Peak intensity120 km/h (75 mph) (10-min);
970 hPa (mbar)

A shallow tropical depression developed within a monsoon trough of low pressure on March 5, about 485 km (300 mi) to the southeast of Honiara, on the Solomon Island of Guadalcanal.[12][13] Over the next 3 days the system remained as a shallow depression as it moved southwards, before it rapidly developed into a tropical cyclone underneath an upper-level ridge of high pressure.[12][14] During March 8, the JTWC classified the system as Tropical Cyclone 22P and initiated advisories on the system, while it was named Yali by the FMS after it had developed into a Category 1 tropical cyclone on the Australian scale.[9][12] During the next day Yali continued to intensify before as the ridge of high pressure moved northwards, before the system peaked with 1 and 10-minute sustained windspeeds of 120 km/h (75 mph).[13][14] This made it equivalent to a category 3 severe tropical cyclone on the Australian scale and a category 1 hurricane on the SSHWS.[13] Yali rapidly weakened and dissipated over water during March 11.[12][13] Despite being within the vicinity of both Vanuatu and New Caledonia, the system did not pass close enough to affect or cause any damage to any inhabited islands.[11][12]

Tropical Cyclone Zuman

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Category 2 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
Tropical storm (SSHWS)
 
DurationApril 19 – April 26
Peak intensity110 km/h (70 mph) (10-min);
975 hPa (mbar)

Cyclone Zuman existed from April 19 to April 26.

Tropical Cyclone Blanch

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Category 1 tropical cyclone (Australian scale)
 
DurationMay 20 – May 22 (exited basin)
Peak intensity75 km/h (45 mph) (10-min);
990 hPa (mbar)

On May 20, TCWC Nadi started to monitor a tropical depression that had developed about 1,440 km (895 mi) to the northeast of Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Other systems

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In addition to 12 named cyclones, two other systems developed during the season. Cyclone 13P existed from February 2 to February 5. Another system, 19P, existed from February 28 to March 3.

Seasonal effects

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Name Dates Peak intensity Areas affected Damage
(USD) 		Deaths Refs
Category Wind speed Pressure
Osea November 20 – 25 Category 2 tropical cyclone 100 km/h (65 mph) 980 hPa (28.94 inHg) None None None
Patsy December 12 – 22 Category 2 tropical cyclone 110 km/h (70 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) Vanuatu [11]
Raja December 21 – January 5 Category 3 severe tropical cyclone 150 km/h (90 mph) 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna, Fiji $14 million 2 [15]
Sally December 26 – January 5 Category 3 severe tropical cyclone 150 km/h (90 mph) 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) Cook Islands, French Polynesia $25 million [16][17]
Tusi January 13–21 Category 3 severe tropical cyclone 150 km/h (90 mph) 955 hPa (28.20 inHg) Tokelau, Samoan Islands, Cook Islands $80 million None [18]
13P February 2–5 Tropical Depression Not specified Not specified
Uma February 4–8 Category 4 severe tropical cyclone 165 km/h (105 mph) 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) Vanuatu $150 million 50 [11][19]
Veli February 7–9 Category 1 tropical cyclone 85 km/h (50 mph) 987 hPa (29.15 inHg) Vanuatu Minimal None [11]
19P February 28 – March 3 Category 2 tropical cyclone 95 km/h (60 mph) 985 hPa (29.09 inHg)
Wini February 27 – March 7 Category 3 severe tropical cyclone 130 km/h (80 mph) 965 hPa (28.50 inHg) Western Samoa, American Samoa Extensive None [11]
Yali March 5–11 Category 3 severe tropical cyclone 120 km/h (75 mph) 970 hPa (28.64 inHg) Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia None None [12]
Zuman April 19–26 Category 2 tropical cyclone 100 km/h (65 mph) 975 hPa (28.79 inHg) Western Samoa, American Samoa
Blanch(e) May 20–22 Category 1 tropical cyclone 75 km/h (45 mph) 990 hPa (29.23 inHg) Solomon Islands
Season aggregates
13 systems November 20 – May 22 165 km/h (105 mph) 940 hPa (27.76 inHg) >$269 million 52

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Revell, C G (1987). "The 1986/87 Hurricane Season in the South Pacific" (PDF). Weather and Climate. 7 (2). The Meteorological Society of New Zealand: 38–54. doi:10.2307/44279737. JSTOR 44279737. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 3, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2014.
  2. ^ Thompson, Craig; Ready, Stephen; Zheng, Xiaogu (1992). Tropical Cyclones in the Southwest Pacific: November 1979 – May 1989 (PDF). New Zealand Meteorological Service, (Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research). p. 32. ISBN 0-477-07346-8. Retrieved 2012-05-10.
  3. ^ Mike Longworth. "Tropical Cyclone Experiences in Vanuatu" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 September 2021.
  4. ^ "Sally's $35m trail". Canberra Times. 5 January 1987. p. 5. Retrieved 24 July 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Hurricane Sally, "Worst in Memory," Leaves Island Devastated". AP. 5 January 1987. Retrieved 24 July 2021.
  6. ^ Laidlaw, Michael R (February 17, 1987). Tropical Cyclone Report: 87/4: Tropical Cyclone Tusi (PDF) (Report). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 22, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
  7. ^ a b c "1987 Tropical Cyclone Veli (1987037S14152)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS). Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d Singh, Sudah; Fiji Meteorological Service (Summer 1987). DeAngellis, Richard M (ed.). Tropical Cyclone Veli (Mariners Weather Log). Vol. 31. United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. pp. 24–25. hdl:2027/uiug.30112104093965. ISSN 0025-3367. OCLC 648466886.
  9. ^ a b Joint Typhoon Warning Center; Naval Western Oceanography Center (1993). Annex A: Warning Verification Statistics: C: Southern Hemisphere (PDF) (1987 Annual Tropical Cyclone Report). United States Navy, United States Airforce. pp. 200–208. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 21, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  10. ^ Joint Typhoon Warning Center; Naval Pacific Meteorology and Oceanography Center. "Tropical Cyclone 16P (Veli) best track analysis". United States Navy, United States Air Force. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Tropical cyclones in Vanuatu: 1847 to 1994 (PDF) (Report). Vanuatu Meteorological Service. May 19, 1994. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 28, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Kishore, Satya; Fiji Meteorological Service (1987). DeAngellis, Richard M (ed.). Tropical Cyclone Yali, March 5–12 (Mariners Weather Log: Volume 31: Issue 3: Summer 1987). United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. p. 25. hdl:2027/uiug.30112104093965. ISSN 0025-3367. OCLC 648466886.
  13. ^ a b c d "1987 Tropical Cyclone YALI (1987065S11164)". International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship (IBTrACS). Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  14. ^ a b Darwin Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (1987). "March 1987" (PDF). Darwin Tropical Diagnostic Statement. 7 (2). Australian Bureau of Meteorology: 2. ISSN 1321-4233. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 16, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2012.
  15. ^ Laisenia, Tui (July 3, 2010). "Disaster Risk Management Risk — Fiji" (PDF). Fiji National Disaster Management Office. Sentinel Asia. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 15, 2012. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  16. ^ Kishore, Satya (March 26, 1987). Tropical Cyclone Sally (PDF) (Tropical Cyclone Report: 87/5). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-22. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  17. ^ "Another cyclone hits cook islands". Xinhua General Overseas News Service. January 20, 1987.  – via Lexis Nexis (subscription required)
  18. ^ Laidlaw, Michael R (February 17, 1987). Tropical Cyclone Tusi (PDF) (Tropical Cyclone Report: 87/4). Fiji Meteorological Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 22, 2012. Retrieved June 1, 2011.
  19. ^ "A Special Submission to the UN Committee for Development Policy on Vanuatu's LDC Status A" (PDF). The Government of Vanuatu. United Nations. March 4, 2009. pp. 8–9. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 2, 2012. Retrieved August 9, 2010.
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